From exotic lands
Test cricketers who were born in countries where the sport wasn't even a fifth-choice past-time
Steven Lynch
17-Jan-2011
George Headley: Panama's finest • PA Photos
Usman Khawaja recently became the first Australian Test player who was born in Pakistan. But some Test cricketers have first seen the light of day in some much more unlikely places
Egypt
The only man to have played Tests for two countries without being born in either, John Traicos was born in Zagazig in northern Egypt - about 50 miles from Cairo - but grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). An offspinner, in 1970 he played in South Africa's last three Tests before they were expelled from international cricket, dismissing Keith Stackpole and Doug Walters on his debut in Durban. Then, in 1992, after a record gap of 22 years and 222 days, he reappeared aged 45, in Zimbabwe's inaugural Test match, against India in Harare, and wheeled down 50 overs to take 5 for 86. He played three more Tests for Zimbabwe before retiring for good.
The only man to have played Tests for two countries without being born in either, John Traicos was born in Zagazig in northern Egypt - about 50 miles from Cairo - but grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). An offspinner, in 1970 he played in South Africa's last three Tests before they were expelled from international cricket, dismissing Keith Stackpole and Doug Walters on his debut in Durban. Then, in 1992, after a record gap of 22 years and 222 days, he reappeared aged 45, in Zimbabwe's inaugural Test match, against India in Harare, and wheeled down 50 overs to take 5 for 86. He played three more Tests for Zimbabwe before retiring for good.
Peru
The England captain Freddie Brown was born in the Peruvian capital Lima, where his father was working for an import and export agency. Back in England he played as a legspinning allrounder for Cambridge University and Surrey (and later Northamptonshire) and did enough to be selected for the 1932-33 Bodyline tour of Australia, although he did not appear in any of the Tests. Eighteen years later he won lasting fame as a popular captain of England on his second tour down under.
The England captain Freddie Brown was born in the Peruvian capital Lima, where his father was working for an import and export agency. Back in England he played as a legspinning allrounder for Cambridge University and Surrey (and later Northamptonshire) and did enough to be selected for the 1932-33 Bodyline tour of Australia, although he did not appear in any of the Tests. Eighteen years later he won lasting fame as a popular captain of England on his second tour down under.
Panama
One of cricket's greats, George Headley, was born in 1909 while his Jamaican father was working on the construction of the Panama Canal. Back in Jamaica, Headley was considered too young for West Indies' 1928 tour of England, but made up for lost time in 1929-30 by scoring 703 runs in a four-Test series against England, including three centuries and a double. In 1939 he scored a century in each innings of the Lord's Test, and overall averaged 60.83. Many around this time referred to him as the "Black Bradman", although in the Caribbean they preferred to call Bradman the "White Headley".
One of cricket's greats, George Headley, was born in 1909 while his Jamaican father was working on the construction of the Panama Canal. Back in Jamaica, Headley was considered too young for West Indies' 1928 tour of England, but made up for lost time in 1929-30 by scoring 703 runs in a four-Test series against England, including three centuries and a double. In 1939 he scored a century in each innings of the Lord's Test, and overall averaged 60.83. Many around this time referred to him as the "Black Bradman", although in the Caribbean they preferred to call Bradman the "White Headley".
Italy
Born in Milan, where his father was working in insurance, Ted Dexter returned home to become one of England's most stylish batsmen - and a thoughtful captain - even if he was sometimes spotted practising his golf swing while fielding. "Lord Ted" played 62 Tests, was a familiar face on TV, and thought up the original idea for the ICC player rankings. Legend had it that he qualified to play for Sussex because the Hove authorities convinced the registration department that Sussex was the closest first-class county to northern Italy.
Born in Milan, where his father was working in insurance, Ted Dexter returned home to become one of England's most stylish batsmen - and a thoughtful captain - even if he was sometimes spotted practising his golf swing while fielding. "Lord Ted" played 62 Tests, was a familiar face on TV, and thought up the original idea for the ICC player rankings. Legend had it that he qualified to play for Sussex because the Hove authorities convinced the registration department that Sussex was the closest first-class county to northern Italy.
Brazil
Ashok Gandotra, a left-hand batsman who won two Test caps, was born in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He returned home and put in some promising performances for Delhi, although he hadn't managed a first-class hundred when he was chosen for India late in 1969. On his debut Gandotra went in to bat against New Zealand at 21 for 5 - it was soon 28 for 7 - and looked composed in making 18. But he didn't better that in his other Test, against Australia a month later, and slid out of the reckoning as talented youngsters like Gundappa Viswanath and Sunil Gavaskar emerged.
Ashok Gandotra, a left-hand batsman who won two Test caps, was born in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He returned home and put in some promising performances for Delhi, although he hadn't managed a first-class hundred when he was chosen for India late in 1969. On his debut Gandotra went in to bat against New Zealand at 21 for 5 - it was soon 28 for 7 - and looked composed in making 18. But he didn't better that in his other Test, against Australia a month later, and slid out of the reckoning as talented youngsters like Gundappa Viswanath and Sunil Gavaskar emerged.
Papua New Guinea
England's wicketkeeper in the epic 2005 Ashes series, Geraint Jones, was born in Papua New Guinea and raised in Australia. After trying his luck in Wales, the land of his parents as his name suggests, Jones eventually found a county place with Kent, and earned an England place after some high-scoring displays. He made a hundred in his third Test, against New Zealand in 2004, but diminishing returns set in and, after 51 innings without a duck - an England record until none other than James Anderson beat it - Jones bagged a pair in his 34th Test, in Perth in December 2006... and hasn't played for England since.
England's wicketkeeper in the epic 2005 Ashes series, Geraint Jones, was born in Papua New Guinea and raised in Australia. After trying his luck in Wales, the land of his parents as his name suggests, Jones eventually found a county place with Kent, and earned an England place after some high-scoring displays. He made a hundred in his third Test, against New Zealand in 2004, but diminishing returns set in and, after 51 innings without a duck - an England record until none other than James Anderson beat it - Jones bagged a pair in his 34th Test, in Perth in December 2006... and hasn't played for England since.
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur's only Test cricketer is Lall Singh, a batsman and superb fielder who played in India's inaugural Test, at Lord's in 1932. After running out Frank Woolley, he took part in a defiant stand of 74 in the second innings, although it couldn't stave off defeat. Locals in Malaya had clubbed together to collect the money to send him to India for pre-tour trials in India in the first place, and Lall Singh eventually returned there to work.
Kuala Lumpur's only Test cricketer is Lall Singh, a batsman and superb fielder who played in India's inaugural Test, at Lord's in 1932. After running out Frank Woolley, he took part in a defiant stand of 74 in the second innings, although it couldn't stave off defeat. Locals in Malaya had clubbed together to collect the money to send him to India for pre-tour trials in India in the first place, and Lall Singh eventually returned there to work.
Mozambique
The only Test cricketer from Portuguese-speaking Mozambique, David Ironside was born in Lourenco Marques (now Maputo). Originally a tearaway quick, Ironside throttled back after knee trouble and became a bowler of sharp medium-pace swing, good enough to win three Test caps for South Africa against New Zealand in 1953-54. He took 5 for 51 on his debut in Johannesburg, when he opened the bowling with Neil Adcock, who recalled: "He could swing it like a boomerang."
The only Test cricketer from Portuguese-speaking Mozambique, David Ironside was born in Lourenco Marques (now Maputo). Originally a tearaway quick, Ironside throttled back after knee trouble and became a bowler of sharp medium-pace swing, good enough to win three Test caps for South Africa against New Zealand in 1953-54. He took 5 for 51 on his debut in Johannesburg, when he opened the bowling with Neil Adcock, who recalled: "He could swing it like a boomerang."
Montserrat
The Leeward island of Montserrat is only around 70 square miles in size, and didn't have many inhabitants even before a disastrous series of volcanic eruptions in the 1990s. But it has produced a Test cricketer: the bustling medium-pacer Lionel Baker won four caps for West Indies in 2008 and 2009 to go with 10 one-day international appearances. He had been expecting to play for Leicestershire in 2009 before he was selected for that year's West Indian tour of England, which compromised his county eligibility.
The Leeward island of Montserrat is only around 70 square miles in size, and didn't have many inhabitants even before a disastrous series of volcanic eruptions in the 1990s. But it has produced a Test cricketer: the bustling medium-pacer Lionel Baker won four caps for West Indies in 2008 and 2009 to go with 10 one-day international appearances. He had been expecting to play for Leicestershire in 2009 before he was selected for that year's West Indian tour of England, which compromised his county eligibility.
Swaziland
Swaziland is a tiny kingdom almost completely surrounded by South Africa. The only Test cricketer to emerge from there also has one of the oddest nicknames: Lawrence "Fish" Markham played once for South Africa, against England in Johannesburg in February 1949. A legspinner, he found it hard to settle, although he did bowl Denis Compton in the second innings. The selectors never cast their net in Fish's direction again.
Swaziland is a tiny kingdom almost completely surrounded by South Africa. The only Test cricketer to emerge from there also has one of the oddest nicknames: Lawrence "Fish" Markham played once for South Africa, against England in Johannesburg in February 1949. A legspinner, he found it hard to settle, although he did bowl Denis Compton in the second innings. The selectors never cast their net in Fish's direction again.
Portugal
Lisbon's only Test cricketer is Dick Westcott, still alive at 83, a Western Province allrounder who played five Tests for South Africa in the 1950s, although he never improved on his 62 on debut against New Zealand in 1953-54. Although Westcott is currently the only Test cricketer to have been born in Portugal, he might yet be joined by Moises Henriques (born in Funchal on Madeira) who played three limited-overs internationals for Australia in 2009.
Lisbon's only Test cricketer is Dick Westcott, still alive at 83, a Western Province allrounder who played five Tests for South Africa in the 1950s, although he never improved on his 62 on debut against New Zealand in 1953-54. Although Westcott is currently the only Test cricketer to have been born in Portugal, he might yet be joined by Moises Henriques (born in Funchal on Madeira) who played three limited-overs internationals for Australia in 2009.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket 2011